"There are also the commercial bookings on top of that," explains technical manager Jonathon Spittlehouse, who originally specified the 36-channel desk back in 2006 when the studio moved to its present location and was brought fully under local authority control. As part of the broader Arts' Centre, Spittlehouse and his colleagues are tasked with engaging 13 - 19 year olds in projects of a variety of disciplines, which can mean the studio - and therefore the desk - is really put through its paces.
"The desk is bullet proof. We've been running it full on for six years and never had a problem. We've worn the decal on the talkback button off, but that's it! "We've always had a large format console, so the ASP8024 dropped right into our workflow. It's a pleasure to mix on so it encourages you to mix 'out of the box," he says. "It's really intuitive to use, so that really helps when you're delivering workshops to people who are new to the studio environment. The layout is very clear and there's lots of space, it's not cluttered and awkward like some consoles."
The purpose-built studio comprises control room, live room, dead room and isolation booth, and the equipment is based around a Protools HD2 system using Apogee Rosetta 800 converters (16 channels) and Avid HD192 converters (8 in/16 out). Mastering is carried out using an Apogee Rosetta 200.
The relationship with the local authority offers generous discounts to young people in Nottinghamshire, and as a result the studio is blessed with a wide variety of output. Spittlehouse adds, "We've got groups who make dub-step and grime and other groups who make more traditional 'band' music. Ties to the theatre are also being fostered, enabling live events to be recorded, or the space to be used as a larger live room."
The Old Library is an arts centre operated by Nottinghamshire County Council and comprises theatre, café, workshop spaces, ICT suite as well as a recording studio.
(Jim Evans)
